Oran Landings

The words

1. Admiral

   Admiral Andrew Cunningham directed Torch’s Allied naval command. Commodore Thomas Troubridge led the British naval force supporting the landings at Oran.

   Howe, ch. III, chain of command · Howe, ch. III: Allied command (opens a new tab)

2. Arzew

   At Arzew, east of Oran, Rangers seized coastal batteries and infantry captured the town. These actions helped establish the eastern approach to Oran.

   Center Task Force, eastern landings · Army campaign history: Oran (opens a new tab)

3. Fleet

   The Oran force brought American troops from Britain under British naval escort. Other Torch forces approached Casablanca and Algiers, making Oran one part of the invasion.

   Three Task Forces Organized · Coast Guard history: Torch forces (opens a new tab)

4. Fredendall

   U.S. Major General Lloyd Fredendall commanded the Center Task Force. He planned a three-sided attack on Oran after French resistance slowed the initial advance.

   Center Task Force, final advance · Army campaign history: Oran (opens a new tab)

5. French Navy

   French warships fired on the cutters entering Oran harbor. The destroyer Typhon attacked Hartland at close range, helping turn the harbor assault into a deadly failure.

   Hartland’s entry and destruction · WWII Museum: Operation Reservist (opens a new tab)

6. Hartland

   HMS Hartland carried Allied raiders into Oran harbor during Reservist. French gunfire set the cutter ablaze; it sank, killing many aboard and leaving survivors in captivity.

   Did you know?

   Hartland began as the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Pontchartrain. Transferred to Britain under Lend-Lease in 1941, it received its new name in Royal Navy service.

   Hartland’s loss and survivors · WWII Museum: Operation Reservist (opens a new tab)

7. La Senia

   La Sénia was one of the airfields sought near Oran. French aircraft withdrew before American troops captured it, adding a second airfield to the Allied foothold.

   Center Task Force, airfield captures · Army campaign history: Oran (opens a new tab)

8. Marines

   Six U.S. Marines joined the Reservist force alongside Army soldiers and American and British naval personnel. Their harbor mission was separate from the main beach landings.

   Howe, ch. XI, Operation Reservist · Howe, ch. XI: Oran landings (opens a new tab)

9. Naval Guns

   British observation officers were assigned to accompany troops inland and direct ships’ gunfire. Oran’s land and sea forces needed ways to identify targets together.

   Howe, ch. XI, naval fire support · Howe, ch. XI: Oran landings (opens a new tab)

10. Oran

    The Allies sought Oran’s port and nearby airfields. After fighting around the city, an American armored column entered on November 10, 1942; a cease-fire followed.

    Center Task Force, November 10 · Army campaign history: Oran (opens a new tab)

11. Reservist

    Reservist aimed to seize Oran’s harbor intact and stop ships being deliberately sunk to block it. The assault failed, with heavy deaths and injuries among the troops.

    Mission and aftermath · WWII Museum: Operation Reservist (opens a new tab)

12. Sailors

    British and American sailors formed part of Reservist’s joint raiding force. Their work included an attempt to secure port facilities needed for later Allied operations.

    Joint force and harbor mission · WWII Museum: Operation Reservist (opens a new tab)

13. Shore Party

    At Beach X, an engineer shore party was assigned beach exits, supply dumps, unloading and traffic control. Getting cargo inland required work beyond landing the troops.

    Howe, ch. XI, X-Ray Beach · Howe, ch. XI: Oran landings (opens a new tab)

14. Transports

    Transports carried troops offshore before landing craft took them to the beaches. The plan brought ships closer through mineswept channels after the first boats arrived.

    Howe, ch. XI, ship-to-shore movement · Howe, ch. XI: Oran landings (opens a new tab)

15. US Troops

    American infantry, Rangers and armored troops took part in the Oran operation. Their separate attacks targeted coastal defenses, inland roads and airfields as well as the city.

    Center Task Force, landing units · Army campaign history: Oran (opens a new tab)